2027: Ohafia Youths, Stakeholders Vow to Return Kalu to Senate, Cite Longstanding Relationship As Communities Receive Him with Fanfare
Youths, women, traditional leaders and political stakeholders across Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have thrown their weight behind the re-election of the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, citing his longstanding relationship with the people and development projects attracted to the area.
The endorsements came as Kalu continued his ward-to-ward tour of Abia North, visiting seven wards and communities in Ohafia, where he was received by large crowds of residents, youths, women, chiefs and community leaders.
Kalu visited Amangwu, Okon, Amuma, Ndi Ibe/Ufiele, Eziafor/Ndi Orieke, Asaga and Amuke, with leaders at the various stops taking turns to speak about his representation and relationship with the people of Ohafia.
Before proceeding to the communities, the former Abia State governor visited Achichi Ohafia in Elu, where he walked for about one kilometre through the streets amid cheers and greetings from residents who came out to welcome him.
Achichi holds particular significance for Kalu, who was conferred with the revered traditional title of Ikenga of Ohafia Ancient Kingdom there.
He later met with the Council of Ohafia Monarchs, O’no’ko’ Nde Ezieogo Ohafia, chaired by the Udumeze Ohafia and Ezie Ohamoha, Elder Awa Oji Udonsi.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Kalu and the traditional rulers to hold a heart-to-heart conversation on the development of Ohafia, Abia North and Abia State in general.
Addressing the monarchs, Kalu recalled his longstanding relationship with Ohafia and some of the projects and programmes associated with his years as governor and his representation of Abia North in the Senate.
He cited the Ebem-Asaga-Ndi Ibe-Amuma-Okon-Amangwu road as one of the major road projects undertaken for the area, alongside rural electrification projects across Ohafia communities.
Kalu also listed road projects he said he facilitated in Abia Ohafia, Akanu, Isiugwu, Ndi Uduma Awoke and Ndi Orieke, as well as some internal roads in Amaekpu.
On education, the senator recalled the free education programme of his administration as governor and said his commitment to education had continued since his election to the Senate.
According to him, more than 20 classroom blocks have been facilitated across Ohafia LGA, in addition to scholarships, educational support and opportunities for young people from the area to participate in international training and capacity-building programmes.
Kalu also recalled his relationship with the late Rev. James Ukaegbu, whom he said encouraged him to mobilise resources towards the construction of the central Presbyterian Church in Elu Ohafia.
He said such relationships and experiences had made Ohafia much more than a political constituency to him, describing the area as home.
“Ohafia has a special place in my heart. My relationship with Ohafia did not start with my election to the Senate. This is home to me, and our relationship has been built over many years,” Kalu said.
He commended the traditional rulers for their efforts in sustaining peace, unity and justice across the 26 villages of Ohafia and called for continued mutual respect, understanding and cooperation among political and community leaders.
Responding, the Udumeze Ohafia pledged the continued support and goodwill of the community towards Kalu.
Also speaking at the palace, APC chieftain and political leader, High Chief Uche Ogboso, urged the traditional rulers to caution political actors against actions capable of overheating the polity in Ohafia.
Ogboso said political differences should not be allowed to disrupt the peace of the communities, urging politicians to desist from attempts to provoke or intimidate members of opposing political groups.
From Achichi, Kalu proceeded with his tour of the different communities, where the visits assumed the atmosphere of a homecoming as residents turned out to receive him.
At Amangwu, Okon, Amuma, Ndi Ibe/Ufiele, Eziafor/Ndi Orieke, Asaga and Amuke, youths, women, chiefs and community leaders praised what they described as Kalu’s accessibility and longstanding ties with Ohafia.
They also cited road construction, rural electrification, educational projects, scholarships, empowerment initiatives and human-capital development programmes among reasons for their support.
Speaking on behalf of the youths, Ukpai Ufere said young people in Ohafia appreciated Kalu’s relationship with the area and the development interventions attracted to their communities over the years.
“Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has demonstrated over the years that Ohafia is home to him. As youths, we have seen his interventions in our communities, from roads and schools to opportunities for our young people. We appreciate what he has done and will continue to support every effort that brings development closer to our people,” Ufere said.
Similarly, Elder Mary Kalu, who spoke on behalf of the women, said the relationship between Kalu and the people of Ohafia had existed for many years.
“Our relationship with Senator Kalu did not start today. He has been with the people of Ohafia for many years, and we know the relationship he has maintained with our communities. We appreciate his projects and his concern for our people. We will continue to pray for him and support him,” she said.
At the various stops, community leaders also declared support for Kalu’s re-election in 2027, saying they wanted him to continue representing Abia North in the Senate.
The visit to Okon had an added personal dimension for the senator as he reunited with members of his age grade in Ohafia.
Kalu exchanged pleasantries with his age-grade members and recalled their longstanding association, in another display of his cultural and social ties with the Ohafia community.
At Ndi Ibe, where he met the people of Ndi Ibe/Ufiele Ohafia Ward, Kalu said the reception was a reminder of the relationship he had maintained with communities across Abia North.
“The love, support and encouragement I received at Ndi Ibe were not surprising. Ndi Ibe has always been my home, just like other communities. Whether small or big, every Abia North constituent is equal in my sight,” he said.
At Eziafor Ohafia, Kalu also met residents of Eziafor/Ndi Orieke Ward, thanking them for their reception and assuring them that every community in the senatorial district would continue to receive his attention.
Similar receptions were recorded at Asaga, Amuma, Amangwu and Amuke, where residents interacted with the senator and his entourage.
Kalu said the ward-to-ward tour was an opportunity to return to the grassroots, account for his stewardship and hear directly from the people about their priorities and expectations.
He thanked the people of Ohafia for what he described as their enduring friendship and affection, saying his relationship with the ancient kingdom went beyond elections and partisan politics.
The senator was accompanied by a large number of APC leaders and stakeholders in Ohafia LGA, including the party’s candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Chief Nicholas Ukwa; candidate for Ohafia South State Constituency, Destiny Uchechukwu; High Chief Uche Ogboso; APC State Treasurer, Mrs Ezinne Udo Udoma; former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Mba Ukaha; and Ohafia LGA APC Chairman, Dr Emeka Kalu.
Others included Okon Udo Udoma, Esq.; former President of Mben Political Assembly, Arch. Lucas Emeh Onuh; former commissioners; chairmen of the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation; party chieftains, community leaders and supporters.